FACTBOOKDESIGNED BY: ZOE DRELLISHAK Welcome to Paradise. Table of Contents

BACKGROUND 6 GEOGRAPHY 10 PEOPLE & SOCIETY 14 GOVERNMENT 18 ECONOMY 22 ENERGY 26 COMMUNICATIONS 28 TRANSPORTATION 30 CREDITS 34

4 5 Although explored by the Spanish the United Provinces of Central early in the 16th century, initial America, but this federation attempts at colonizing Costa disintegrated in 1838, at which Rica proved unsuccessful due time proclaimed its to a combination of factors, sovereignty and independence. including disease from mosquito Since the late 19th century, only infested swamps, brutal heat, two brief periods of violence have resistance by natives, and pirate marred the country’s democratic raids. It was not until 1563 that a development. On 1 December 1948, permanent settlement of Cartago Costa Rica dissolved its armed was established in the cooler, forces. Although it still maintains fertile central highlands. The area a large agricultural sector, Costa remained a colony for some two Rica has expanded its economy and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa to include strong technology and Rica became one of several Central tourism industries. The standard American provinces that jointly of living is relatively high. Land declared independence from ownership is widespread. Spain. Two years later it joined BACKGROUND

6 7 Costa Rica joins the United Provinces US businessman Minor Cooper Keith of , which also Costa Rica is part of the vice introduces banana cultivation and embraces El Salvador, Guatemala, starts the United Fruit Company. royalty of New Spain. Honduras and Nicaragua.

1808 1838 1917

1540 1823 1874

Coffee is introduced into Costa Rica becomes Frederico Tinoco ousts the elected Costa Rica from Cuba and fully independent. president, Alfredo Gonzalez, but is becomes the principal crop. himself deposed two years later.

8 9 GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY

10 11 Location Elevation Central America, bordering both the Mean elevation: 746 m Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m between Nicaragua and Panama Highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m Geographic coordinates Natural resources 10 00 N, 84 00 W Hydropower Map references Central America and the Caribbean Land Use Agricultural land: 37.1% (2018 est.) Area Arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.) Total: 51,100 sq km Permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.) Land: 51,060 sq km Permanent pasture: 25.5% (2018 est.) Water: 40 sq km Forest: 51.5% (2018 est.) Note: includes Isla del Coco Other: 11.4% (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 129 Irrigated land Area—comparative 1,015 sq km (2012) Slightly smaller than West Virginia Area comparison map Natural Hazards Land boundaries Occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Total: 661 km Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands Border countries (2): Nicaragua 313 km, at onset of rainy season and landslides; Panama 348 km active volcanoes Coastline Volcanism 1,290 km Arenal (1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is Maritime claims the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 Territorial sea: 12 nm eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Continental shelf: 200 nm Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; Climate other historically active volcanoes include Tropical and subtropical; dry season Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and (December to April); rainy season (May to Turrialba November); cooler in highlands Geography. Terrain Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes

12 13 Population 5,151,140 (JULY 2021 EST.) Country comparison to the world: 124

Nationality NOUN: COSTA RICAN(S) Adjective: Costa Rican Ethnic groups White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.) Languages SPANISH, ENGLISH

Religions PEOPLE & Roman Catholic 71.8%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 12.3%, other Protestant 2.6%, Jehovah’s Witness 0.5%, other 2.4%, SOCIETY none 10.4% (2016 est.) Age Structure 0 -14 years: 22.08% (male 575,731/female 549,802) 15–24 years: 15.19% (male 395,202/female 379,277) 25–54 years: 43.98% (male 1,130,387/ female 1,111,791) 55–64 years: 9.99% (male 247,267/female 261,847) 65 years and over: 8.76% (male 205,463/ female 241,221) (2020 est.)

14 15 Birth Rate Infant Mortality Rate Major infectious diseases Population Pyramid Total: 8.59 deaths/1,000 live births Degree of risk: intermediate (2020) Dependency ratios 14.53 BIRTHS/1,000 Male: 9.66 deaths/1,000 live births Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea Total dependency ratio: 45.1 POPULATION (2021 Female: 7.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever Youth dependency ratio: 30.2 Life expectancy at birth Obesity—adult prevalence rate Elderly dependency ratio: 14.9 EST.) Total population: 79.41 years 25.7% (2016) Potential support ratio: 6.7 (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 124 Male: 76.75 years Country comparison to the world: 48 Median age Female: 82.22 years (2021 est.) Education expenditures Total: 32.6 years Death Rate Country comparison to the world: 59 7% of GDP (2019) Male: 32.1 years Total fertility rate Country comparison to the world: 13 Female: 33.1 years (2020 est.) 4.86 DEATHS/1,000 1.87 children born/woman (2021 est.) Country comparison to the world: 109 Country comparison to the world: 134 Literacy Population growth rate POPULATION Contraceptive prevalence rate Definition: age 15 and over can read and write 1.04% (2021 est.) Country comparison to the world: 200 70.9% (2018) Total population: 97.9% Net migration rate Male: 97.8% Maternal Mortality Rate 0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) Drinking Water Source Female: 97.9% (2018) 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Country comparison to the world: 63 School life expectancy (primary to tertiary Country comparison to the world: 116 Improved: urban: 100% of population education) Population Distribution Rural: 100% of population Total: 16 years Roughly half of the nation’s population resides in Total: 100% of population Male: 17 years urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest Unimproved: urban: 0% of population Female: 17 years (2019) city and home to approximately one-fifth of the Total: 0% of population (2017 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15–24 population Current Health Expenditure Total: 20.6% Male: 17.6% Urbanization 7.6% (2018) Female: 25.9% (2017 est.) 2.89 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Country comparison to the world: 63 Urban population: 80.8% of total population (2020) Hospital bed density Rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2017) (2015–20 est.) Sanitation facility access Major urban areas—population Improved: urban: 98.4% of population Demographic Profile 1.421 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2021) Rural: 95.8% of population Costa Rica’s political stability, high standard of living, and well-developed social benefits system Total: 97.8% of population set it apart from its Central American neighbors. Through the government’s sustained social Sex Ratio Unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population spending—almost 20% of GDP annually—Costa Rica has made tremendous progress toward At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female Rural: 4.2% of population achieving its goal of providing universal access to education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, 0–14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female Total: 2.2% of population (2017 est.) and electricity. Since the 1970s, expansion of these services has led to a rapid decline in infant 15–24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female HIV/AIDS—adult prevalence rate mortality, an increase in life expectancy at birth, and a sharp decrease in the birth rate. Costa 25–54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 0.4% (2019 est.) Rica’s poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries, but it has stalled at around 55–64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female Country comparison to the world: 75 20% for almost two decades. Costa Rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female 14,000 (2019 est.) its job opportunities and s cial programs. Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born, with Nica- Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 91 raguans comprising nearly three-quarters of the foreign population. Many Nicaraguans who per- HIV/AIDS—deaths form unskilled seasonal labor enter Costa Rica illegally or overstay their visas, which continues <200 (2019 est.) to be a source of tension. Less than 3% of Costa Rica’s population lives abroad. The overwhelming majority of expatriates have settled in the United States after completing a university degree or in order to work in a highly skilled field.

16 17 Country Name Conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica Conventional short form: Costa Rica Local long form: Republica de Costa Rica Local short form: Costa Rica Etymology: the name means “rich coast” in Spanish and was first applied in the early colonial period of the 16th century Administrative Divisions 7 provinces (provincias, singular—provincia); , Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Independence 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Government Type Presidential republic

Capital Name: San Jose Geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W Time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Etymology: named in honor of Saint Joseph GOVERNMENT Constitution History: many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949 amendments: proposals require the signatures of at least 10 Legislative Assembly members or petition of at least 5% of qualified voters; consideration of proposals requires two-thirds majority approval in each of three readings by the Assembly, followed by preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its approval by simple majority of the Assembly; passage requires at least two- thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership; a referendum is required only if approved by at least two thirds of the Assembly; amended 5 times, last in 2020.

18 19 Political Parties and Leaders National Holiday EXECUTIVE Accessibility WithouL Exclusion or PASE Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Chief of state: President (since 8 May 2018); First Vice [Oscar Andres Lopez Arias] President Epsy Campbell Barr (since 8 May 2018); Second Vice President Marvin Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Legal System Rodriguez Cordero (since 8 May 2018); note—the president is both chief of state. Patricia Mora Castellanos] Civil law system based on Spanish civil head of government: President Carlos Alvarado Quesada (since 8 May 2018); First Christian Democratic Alliance or ADC code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Vice President Epsy Campbell Barr (since 8 May 2018); Second Vice President [Mario Redondo Poveda] Supreme Court Marvin Rodriguez Cordero (since 8 May 2018) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the Citizen Action Party or PAC [Marta Eugenia International law organization participation president elections/appointments: president and vice presidents directly elected Solano Arias] Patriotic Alliance [Jorge Araya Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year Westover] Social Christian Republican accepts ICCt jurisdiction term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 4 February 2018 Party or PRS [Dragos Dolanescu Citizenship by descent only: yes with a runoff on 1 April 2018 (next to be held in February 2022)election results: Valenciano] Social Christian Unity Party or Carlos Alvarado Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in PUSC [Pedro Munoz Fonseca] Diplomatic Representation from the US first round—Fabricio Alvarado Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos Alvarado Quesada (PAC) International organization participation 21.6%; Antonio Alvarez (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo Piza (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, Chief of mission: Ambassador Sharon DAY (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo Hernandez (PRS) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national (since 5 October 2017) round—Carlos Alvarado Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio Alvarado Munoz committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, Telephone: [506] 2519–2000 IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, Embassy: Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose LEGISLATIVE IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC Mailing address: APO AA 34020 (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, FAX: [506] 2519–2305 Description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies—corresponding to the coun- OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance try’s 7 provinces—by closed list proportional representation vote; members serve (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, 4-year terms)elections: last held on 4 February 2018 (next to be held in February UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, 2022)election results: percent of vote by party—PLN 19.5%, PRN 18.2%, PAC 16.3%, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), PUSC 14.6%, PIN 7.7%, PRS 4.2%, PFA 4%, ADC 2.5%, ML 2.3%, PASE 2.3%, PNG WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO 2.2%, other 6.2%; seats by party—PLN 17, PRN 14, PAC 10, PUSC 9, PIN 4, PRS 2, PFA Diplomatic representation in the US 1; composition—men 31, women 26, percent of women 45.6% Chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando LLORCA Castro (since 17 September 2018) JUDICIAL Chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, Highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 DC 20008 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 Telephone: [1] (202) 499–2980 judges)judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges elected FAX: [1] (202) 265–4795 by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Assembly subordinate courts: appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, of the \peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal Washington DC Consulate(s): Saint Paul (MN), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tucson (AZ)

20 21 Economic Overview Since 2010, Costa Rica has enjoyed strong and stable economic growth—3.8% in 2017. Exports of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are the backbone of its commodity exports. Various industrial and processed agricultural products have broadened exports in recent years, as have high value-added goods, including medical devices. Costa Rica’s impressive biodiversity also makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country’s political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the incentives offered in the free-trade zones; Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. The US-Central American- Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which became effective for Costa Rica in 2009, helped increase foreign direct investment in key sectors of the economy, including insurance and telecommunication. However, poor infrastructure, high energy costs, a complex bureaucracy, weak investor protection, and uncertainty of contract enforcement impede greater investment.

22 23 Real GDP Growth Rate Calendar Year 3.3% (2017 est.) Current account balance 4.2% (2016 est.) -$1.692 billion (2017 est.) 3.6% (2015 est.) -$1.326 billion (2016 est.) Country comparison to the world: 90 Exports Inflation rate (consumer prices) United States 38%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 2% (2019 est.) 5%, Guatemala 5%, Panama 5% (2019) 2.2% (2018 est.) Exports—commodities 1.6% (2017 est.) Medical instruments, bananas, tropical fruits, Country comparison to the world: 111 orthopedic appliances, food preparations (2019) Credit Ratings Gross National Saving Fitch rating: B (2020) 14.2% of GDP (2019 est.) Moody’s rating: B2 (2020) 15.2% of GDP (2018 est.) Standard & Poors rating: B (2020) 14.9% of GDP (2017 est.) Real GDP (purchasing power parity) Country comparison to the world: 150 $99.146 billion (2019 est.) GDP—composition, by sector of origin $97.122 billion (2018 est.) Agriculture: 5.5% (2017 est.) $94.605 billion (2017 est.) Industry: 20.6% (2017 est.) Note: data are in 2017 dollars Services: 73.9% (2017 est.) Country comparison to the world: 92 GDP—composition, by end use Household consumption: 64.2% (2017 est.) GDP Government consumption: 17.3% (2017 est.) $61.855 billion (2019 est.) Investment in fixed capital: 17.1% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita Investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) $19,642 (2019 est.) Exports of goods and services: 33.3% (2017 est.) $19,427 (2018 est.) Imports of goods and services: -32.9% (2017 est.) $19,112 (2017 est.) Note: data are in 2017 dollars Country comparison to the world: 91 Imports $15.15 billion (2017 est.) Agricultural Products $14.53 billion (2016 est.) Sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, Country comparison to the world: 93 fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice United States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019) 1.843 million (2020 est.) Imports—commodities Note: official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, Costa Rica cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines Country comparison to the world: 123 (2019) Labor force—by occupation Reserves of foreign exchange and gold Agriculture: 14% $7.15 billion (31 December 2017 est.) Industry: 22% $7.574 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Services: 64% (2006 est.) Country comparison to the world: 86 Unemployment Rate Debt 8.1% (2017 est.) $29.589 billion (2019 est.) 44.9% of GDP (2016 est.) $28.553 billion (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 105 Country comparison to the world: 85

24 25 Electricity access Electricity—from nuclear Refined petroleum Electrification—total fuels products—consumption population: 100% (2020) 0% of total installed 53,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) capacity (2017 est.) Country comparison to Electricity—Production Country comparison to the world: 100 10.79 billion kWh (2016 the world: 72 est.) Refined petroleum Country comparison to Electricity—from products—exports the world: 100 Hydroelectric plants 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) 64% of total installed Country comparison to Electricity—Consumption capacity (2017 est.) the world: 147 9.812 billion kWh (2016 Country comparison to est.) the world: 25 Refined petroleum Country comparison to products—imports the world: 98 Electricity—from other 51,320 bbl/day (2015 est.) renewable sources Country comparison to Electricity—Exports 18% of total installed the world: 80 643 million kWh (2015 capacity (2017 est.) est.) Country comparison to Natural gas—production Country comparison to the world: 48 0 cu m (2017 est.) the world: 64 Country comparison to Crude oil—production the world: 120 Electricity—Imports 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) 807 million kWh (2016 Country comparison to Natural gas—consumption est.) the world: 124 0 cu m (2017 est.) Country comparison to Country comparison to the world: 72 Crude Oil—Exports the world: 136 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Electricity—installed Country comparison to Natural gas—exports generating capacity the world: 109 0 cu m (2017 est.) 3.584 million kW (2016 Country comparison to est.) Crude oil—imports the world: 88 Country comparison to 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) the world: 94 Country comparison to Natural gas—imports the world: 115 0 cu m (2017 est.) Electricity—from fossil Country comparison to fuels Refined petroleum the world: 111 18% of total installed products—production capacity (2016 est.) 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas—proved Country comparison to Country comparison to reserves the world: 195 the world: 134 On Mt (2017 est.) Country comparison to the world: 120

26 27 Telephones—Fixed Lines Total subscriptions: 630,386 Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12.5 (2019 est.) COMMUNI-- Country comparison to the world: 89

Telephones—Mobile Cellular ------CATIONS Total subscriptions: 8,163,744 Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 161.88 (2019 est.) Country comparison to the world: 96 Telecommunication Systems Broadcast Media General assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; in recent years growth has been achieved from liberalization Multiple privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station; of the telecom sector and has seen substantial expansion in all sectors; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned Costa Rica’s broadband market is seriously one of the the most advanced radio stations and a public radio network (2017) in Central America, with the highest broadband penetration for this sub- Internet Country Code region; broadband penetration does lag behind many South American countries; with the implementation of number portability there is greater .cC opportunity for increased competition in the future (2018) Domestic: 13 per 100 fixed-line, 162 per 100 mobile-cellular; point-to-point Internet Users and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural Total: 3,694,974 areas; Internet service is available (2019) Percent of population: 74.09% (July 2018 est.) International: country code—506; landing points for the ARCOS-1, MAYA-1, Country comparison to the world: 94 and the PAC submarine cables that really do provide links for us to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Broadband—Fixed Subscriptions Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat Total: 834,784 (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 73

28 29 TTRANSPOR---RANSPOR--- TTATIONATION

30 31 National Air Transport System Airports—with unpaved runways Number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air Total: 114 (2013) carriers: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 18 (2013) Annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: Under 914 m: 96 (2013) 1,948,546 (2018) Annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 11.13 Pipelines million mt-km (2018) 662 km refined products (2013) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix TI (2016) Railways Airports Total: 278 km (2014) Total: 161 (2013) Narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2014) Country comparison to the world: 34 Note: the entire rail network fell into disrepair and Military and Security out of use at the end of the 20th century; since 2005, certain sections of rail have been rehabilitated Military and security forces Country comparison to the world: 123 No regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security commands the Public Forces of Costa Roadways Rica, which includes the Public Force (National Total: 5,035 km (2017) Police), Anti-Drug Police, and National Coast Country comparison to the world: 147 Guard Service (2020) Note: Costa Rica’s armed forces were Waterways constitutionally abolished in 1949 Military and security service personnel strengths 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011) The Public Forces of Costa Rica have Country comparison to the world: 74 approximately 12,000 personnel (2019 est.) Merchant marine Military equipment inventories and acquisitions Total: 10 The Public Forces’ inventory includes mostly By type: other 10 (2020) second-hand US equipment; since 2000, the only Country comparison to the world: 155 reported major equipment deliveries were from the US (light helicopters in 2012 and 2014 and Ports and Terminals second-hand coast guard cutters in 2018) (2019 est.) Major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean)— Puerto Limon Airports—with paved runways Pacific Ocean—Caldera Total: 47 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 27 (2017) Under 914 m: 16 (2017)

32 33 IMAGE CREDITS

...... PHOTOSBYCHALO

...... KRITOSCR

...... MFURNTE

...... PAULSWILDERNESS

...... PATRIZIA08

...... NATUREFREAK

...... FALCO

...... DMZ

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34 35 FACTBOOK